Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-01-15
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. 8.

Next TO the superintendent are the
school officers, the Board OF Educa-
ton and the trustees who are the
custodians of our public schools. l
shall not speak of them separately
and distinctly as l am not now suf
ficientiy posted as to the line that
divides them, and whether or not
their functions, in some respects,
run into or overlap each other in the
rural districts. Be that as it may,
to both is committed an important
trust. They are, as above stated,
the custodians OF the school interests
in their districts. Their duties en-
brace wide range, and to perform
them rightly, enlightened intellect,
sound Judgment, unwavering Impair
TALLY and sterling honesty are es.
Sentially necessary. That they some
times fail to perform their whole duty
i'll every respect, or satisfactorily to
all concerned, is not to be wondered
at. Even the honest. upright and
intelligent, in every department of
human affairs are liable, under GER
tain circumstances, to make mis-
takes. That it should be otherwise
seems almost impossible, from the
very organization of the human
mind.
The School Officers are the ones
that mast see the educational pro-
gramme carried out to its desired
results. Their duties are therefore
not only important, but responsible.
Among these are the selection of
teachers; the building of school
houses; the assessment of tax suf-
ficient for the term and many other
matters affecting the interests and
prosperity of the schools nnder their
care.
The duties Of school officers are
clearly set forth in the school law, a
copy of which should be in the hands
of each commissioner and trustee,
and faithfully studied and carried
out by them.
Special care should be exercised
on the part of school officers in the
appointment Of teachers, and when
that appointment is made, the teach
er should be encouraged and sus-
tanned. The schools should be visit
ed as often as possible, and the
teachers furnished with every lie.
cessary appliance for the comfort and
instruction Of the pupils.
The qualifications of teachers re-
quisite and to which employers are
to look will be treated of hereafter.
But l will say, in this connection,
that the best test is not always the
grade of certificate held by teacher,
but record of "a teacher as to correct
and successful school work. |
have known casts in which teach
ers with number one certificate
have been complete failure; while,
on the other hand, others with a
number two or even three have done
good and satisfactory work. 1t is
not the higher order education that
makes the successful merchant or
artisan, or is essential in teacher,
but business tact and skill combined.
Scholarship is essential in teacher,
but tact to discipline and impart is
indispensable. Without these it is
bungling work with neither basis
nor superstructure.
Many school. houses, as they are
now, are poor structures, and some
times situated in undesirable loca
ton, without proper grounds and
surroundings. Therefore school Of
ficers should be careful when it be
comes their duty to select location
for a new building. Let it be the
high and dry, free from dampness
and miasma, swamps and low
grounds, with sufficient space around
it for playground, and, if possible
pleasantly shaded by trees. Lei
the building be sufficiently capacious
properly ventilated, aud furnished
with ample and comfortable seat
ing. Let it be sufficiently lighted
so as not to appear like a dungeon.
Let it be so warm that all the Schol.
ars can be made comfortable with
ont roasting one portion and freez
ing the other at the same time
Let it be provided with suficien
space for black board, maps, charts
globes, ornamental mottos ant
pictures. And don't forget or refus,
to sapply your teachers with text
book on every branch and for every
class, so that he need not borrow
them from the pupils or get them a
his own expense.
| have already attended to tn,
duty Of visiting the schools. / know
it is demanding some sacrifice from
those who receive no remuneration
for their services, to visit the schools
but, as they accepted the position
they assumed its duties and response
bilities. 1t is needless for me to say
that such visits tend to encourage
and stimulate both teacher and pu
pills. Therefore when trustees have
placed teacher in the scho0l-rOom
their aohOle duty is notyet performed
They must support and uphold theil
teacher as far as is consistent will
right. They mnst not open thei
ears to whispers of SANDER, nor give
audience to the malicious cry of par
TALLY. The very best teachers ma,
under certain circumstances become
the victims of designing parties, ant
stockholders violate solemn obi
cation by condemning or dischargini
a teacher without legal hearing
School officers are the agents of thu
public,-of the public, not of, Tom
Dick or Harry.
The power of appointing teachers
is placed in the hands of a certain
number of school officers, and thu
public have a right to demand {
proper and judicious exercise of thai
power. Any thing like favoritisn